I’m really not a fan of this toxic positivity you find in the blogging world. Those people that brandish you with a pitch fork for saying something that’s negative. No aspect of life is ever going to be 100% good, all of the time. And the same very much goes for blogging. For all the good that comes from it, there’s bad too. And like most bloggers, I definitely have blogging pet peeves.
Something pissed me off a while ago and I tweeted about it. Unsurprisingly, I got a reply from someone saying, “wow, what a negative way of looking at things”. *eye roll*. I wasn’t annoyed at the response. If anything, I owe that person the inspiration behind this post! So ta babe!
Shortly after that I tweeted to ask if anyone would want to see a blogging pet peeves blog post and the response was a resounding yes. It appears a lot of other people are sick of the toxic positivity too and would like to read more honest posts from bloggers about elements of the blogging world!
This was around 3 months ago. I’ve been putting this post off for so long so quite honestly, I’m a little nervous. I never want to offend anyone – I’m just not like that. But I want to be honest. So without further ado, here are my blogging pet peeves!
Forced / OTT Positivity
I kinda have to start with this one being as I’ve already briefly mentioned it but nothing grinds my teeth more than positivity Nazi’s on social media. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love supporting people, cheering others on and making friends through blogging. But I can’t bare those who shove positivity down your throat every day.
Yeah, it helps to be positive. It’s nice to have a positive outlook on things and believe it or not, I’m actually a pretty positive person! But I’m also a realist. No industry is going to be positive all of the time and you know what? Sometimes shit happens in the blogging world and sometimes you’ve just got to talk about it like it is.
The follow / unfollow game
A pretty old one now but something that people stilllllllll do and just… ugh. It’s boring now babes. People have been playing the follow and unfollow game since the dawn of time it would appear. They think it’ll gain them more followers quicker. And it does. For a while. Until people notice and then you have all the followers but no dignity.
Begging for views and followers
This is what I tweeted about when I got that negative Nancy response a few months ago. I basically tweeted saying that it makes my eyes roll when bloggers basically beg for views and followers on Twitter (or wherever else they’re promoting their blogs) instead of creating good, engaging promotional content which makes us want to read it.
I mean, each to their own. Some people don’t care about that and that’s fine. But for me, nothing makes me want to read a post less than the blogger behind it basically guilt tripping you into reading it. Big blogging pet peeve!
Certain blog comments
I’m talking about those comments which just say, “Hey! Check out my blog *link*” that some bloggers leave, with no indication of having read your post at all. This is just down right rude and a huge blogging faux pas.
Bloggers misusing hash tags
I’ve honestly tweeted about this so many times that I sound like a broken record. But stop misusing the mother freaking hash tags! The #bloggerswanted and #bloggersrequired hash tags on Twitter are primarily for PR’s / brands looking for bloggers for campaigns / product reviews / sponsored posts etc.
So then whyyyyyy are you clogging up the feed promoting your blog posts? Or begging for followers to enable you to hit your next follower goal? If you’re not LOOKING for a BLOGGER then don’t use the hash tag for crying out loud!
Claims that blogging is the hardest job in the world
Lord give me strength with this one. I’m not saying blogging isn’t a hard job. It is. It’s my job and I know it’s hard. There are plenty of things which make blogging difficult. Like not knowing what your work load will be like from one month to the next. Or Having to constantly be on form, creating and promoting content.
But hardest job EVER?
All jobs deserve respect. We’re all just trying to do our bit. Get by. Make a difference. But I can think of plenty of other, harder and perhaps even lower paying jobs that being a blogger. Jobs which require long, grueling and emotional hours. I actually think it’s a bit disrespectful to even consider that being a blogger is harder than being a nurse for example.
Incessant moaning about views & followers
Christ this gets on my tits. Similarly to the “begging for views” thing, there’s nothing that makes me want to follow a blogger less than when they’re constantly moaning about “why isn’t anyone following me?”
Or “why are my views low?”, “why is nobody reading my blog?” or “why do I bother with my blog?” Firstly, that attitude is going to get you nowhere.
Secondly, it’s going to discourage people even more from following you and reading your content. We’re all entitled to have a moan every now and again of course we are.
But if you’re seeing lower views or your followers aren’t increasing as you think they should be, maybe it’s time to step back and actually have a proper think about why. And change it. Instead of complaining.
What are your ultimate blogging pet peeves? I’d love to hear them!
Wanna get involved? Join my supportive Facebook bloggers group, Starlight Bloggers!
Jenny I’m new to blogging and I’m glad I read this! Thank you!
Very interesting blog. I am new to blogging and trying to understand all these terms. I see that you have mentioned hashtags – I am wondering if I also need to tweet about my blog that is still in the inception stage. I am planning to revisit your blog in a the near future.
Definitely get yourself on Twitter and interacting with people now!
Great post, I really enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed the part about the complaining blogger who wonders why nobody is following them… Just goes to show what separates professionals from the rest. I am new to blogging also and was also suggested to read this by my teacher. Looks like this course is popular….lol
Keep up the great work and I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future!
Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed this one 🙂
Hi! This blog post was recommended by an instructor for one of my classes. As I read your pet peeves, I was immediately struck by the fact that none of my favorite blogs do any of these things. Perhaps that’s why, I stuck with them over the years. I’ve taken the time to view some of your other posts and have enjoyed them as well.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh wow, thank you! Which class was this recommended in?
Aloha! Thought you might like to know you were also recommended to me, might be the same course, the instructor is named Richard Mansfield. Thanks for the blospiration 🙂
I was recommended to you?
He has a link to your blog in the class.
Hello! Thank you for writing this. I’m new to blogging (as in, less than one month in) and your site (this post in particular) was recommended as part of a class I’m taking: Blogging and Podcasting for Beginners. Kinda lame I suppose, but I want to be well prepared.
Anway- I understood most of what you’re saying, but I’m a bit foggy on the “follow/unfollow game”. If it’s not horribly stupid of me to ask, can you elaborate? What is that?
Thanks! x
Can I ask who recommended me? That’s so cool! Not lame at all, it’s great that you want to learn so much!
Follow/unfollow is basically where someone will follow a ton of people, wait for them to follow them back and then unfollow them.
It’s a quick and inauthentic way to gain a lot of followers!
Thank you for this! I can apply these not only to blogging, but even everyday life!
Thank you, this post was insightful and eloquently said! Ain’t nobody got mind games from social media.
True
I agree on the begging. The more begging the less chance I would visit a blog.
Thank you, those were good tips!
You’re welcome!
The follow/unfollow game annoys me so much. But yes, the “I’m just leaving a comment in the hopes of other people following my link but I haven’t read the post” kind of comments are probably one of the worst. Oh, and the click bait headlines that turns out to be bullshit content. Those always annoys me so much.
They are definitely the worst! Click bait is awful on YouTube!
Great blog topic. Honestly, I haven’t had a lot of issues with a lot of the points that you’ve brought up, but the follow/unfollow thing really is discouraging. It’s a lot of the reason that I’m so turned off to Instagram. It feels like working a room full of ice queens over there; everyone seems solely interested in self-promotion
The follow / unfollow game happens everywhere sadly! I see on Twitter a lot too!
Blogs that have no option to comment. It says “read my blog but I don’t care about your opinion”.
Oh my gosh yes I hate when people just blatantly use hashtags that aren’t relevant to what they’re posting! And I NEVER follow someone who leaves a “check out my blog” comment, even if the rest of the comment is insightful. It’s one thing to leave a link back, another thing entirely to be spammy!
Thankfully I haven’t come across someone saying that blogging is the hardest job ever, because there are so many jobs that people’s lives literally depend on! Those are the hard jobs. Blogging certainly can be tough but those people can get over themselves haha
Great post as always x
I never follow people who say that either! Drives me up the wall!
Agreed!
First of all, you totally had my insides giggling in a good way. I am constantly looking at the do’s and don’ts of blogging since I just started this adventure. Thank you for the informational entertaining read!
Glad it made you chuckle!
I’m new to the blogging world so “begging”, I’m guilty of. Good to know. The follow/unfollow burns my butt. I feel like we should all support each other. Thank you for your list though. I did learn something
I feel ya when it comes to these pet peeves!!! Nothing grinds my teeth more than when a blog(ill just use my site as an example i guess) such as talker99.wordpress.com decides to leave some random comment on a blog just so they can get their link out there! THEN they have the audacity to beg for readers through twitter with a badly misplaced #talker99 or some crap like it…. I mean, get a life, right(high fives you) ……thats why, on my site, talker99.wordpress, we absolutely refuse to play that follow game! You can rest a sure that if someone follows my site we certainly will not follow back….unless youre cool and write interesting stuff, then we might…. But all others, no way jose…. So yeah, totally agree on those blog pet peeves…….(high fives again, spins and then walks away)
I agree with all of these, especially bloggers using the bloggerswanted etc Twitter hashtags to promote themselves. It makes it very difficult to find PR or brand collaborations. I actually like a little negativity in blog posts, that’s real life. Why should you me made to feel bad about having a negative thought or or opinion?
I totally agree with you – I can’t stand overly positive people ALL THE TIME!
You know people have to be real, and honest, and that means they can’t be positive all the time. My pet peeve is people who lie and say it’s all good and it isn’t. Because if we don’t acknowledge the problem, how will we fix it?
Still kind of new to blogging. But those pet peeves had me nodding my head yes to all of them. It helps to know that others feel the same way.
So annoying!
This is a nice list of crap that needs to be addressed. It’s time authors displayed some etiquette.
Nice list of crap hahahaha
This is the best thing I have ever read! I actually laughed out loud. I loved all of your pet peeves and I definitely agree with all of them!
And also cringed as I remember doing some of them in my younger days!
Hahaha glad you enjoyed!
This is a fantastic post, thank you! I found myself nodding and giggling as I read it. It was such an honest and authentic post, and I really loved it. I am fairly new to blogging, so I am probably still developing my own list of pet peeves. Yours seem pretty on the money, however. Thank you!
Completely agree with all of these!
Haha I’m glad!
I really loved reading this! it really annoys me when people randomly message me on instagram ( baring in mind, they don’t engage in my content or have never spoken to me before ) and ask me how I have worked with certain brands and if they can have an email to contact to discuss working with them.
Ugh that’s so rude!!!
loved this! I try to stay away from such ‘faux-pas’ bloggers because I seek for authenticity but sometimes their comments are ridicolous: all exaclty the same.
Cate ღ 35mm in Style
Haha I agree 😂
I agree with everything said here. They’re my peeves too!
Just so annoying!
Yes!!! I’ve been blogging for a long time and have had a blog before my current one. I’ve seen it all lol.
Begging for views and followers is the worst. I get those messages every single day. I try to ignore them.
Bettie
http://www.thewildflowerhippie.com
I definitely ignore them!
I hate the forced positivity too, especially in videos. It is too cringe to watch.
Sure is! I don’t want too many people like that thankfully.
Love this article and agree with all of the points! But the OTT positivity is the one that really gets me because I’d much prefer reading stuff that’s real and I know most people out there prefer that too. I posted a snapshot from a brunch at one of the hipster spots in the city a month or so ago and mentioned that whilst it looked super instagrammable the actual food tasted average and I was quite disappointed with it and someone actually commented on how refreshing it was to read an actual real opinion no matter what it is.
Wow that’s great that they gave you that feedback! I’m a bit sick of seeing all these gorgeous places in London without any actual real information about what they’re like to go to?
Oh I absolutely agree with this! With the begging for followers/complaining about low views thing, I think it annoys me so much because I get the feeling, but I also think that it’s totally the wrong way to go about improving your stats. I’d so much rather have people follow me/visit my blog because they want to, rather than because I told them to, or they felt sorry for me. After all, only the people who like my stuff are going to stay long-term.
Also, who said that blogging is the hardest job in the world??? I’m not saying it’s easy, but c’mon. (Also, I’m generally not a fan of people trying to one-up each other on who’s got it worst.)
Great post – I think it’s so good to talk about this stuff – it helps us all behave a bit better.
I totally agree with everything you’ve said!
Haha, in my head I was nodding along and agreeing with all of these x
Haha glad you agree!
My biggest one is when people don’t declare they’ve been paid for a post! Annoying AF!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Oooh yes good one! The “collaborative post” thing really pisses me off now. I used to use it but after the guidelines were reinforced and made stricter, it’s been made very clear that “collaborative” isn’t acceptable anymore!
I completely agree with you. Being positive is really important but blogging is also a great platform to talk about issues or things that we want to change. I prefer reading real genuine post written by a human I can relate to, rather than a robot 😉 x
Totally agree with you!
This blog post had me nodding my head so much when reading it! I have to admit, I probably come across sometimes as so over-positive as I am a massive believer in the secret and law of attraction so for me personally always think looking on the bright side is important than being negative but I do share my bad times and mental health days too as they are equally as important. I adore that you’ve been so open about these facts darling, great blog post! 💜
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
I don’t think you come across too positive at all. You’re very honest and real 😌
Thanks Jenny, we’re new here and your blog is soooo full of truths, do people really beg for readers on tweeter? but yes, if the content is right, it will attract eventually attract the right audience… You know recently someone told me… that because I wasnt so found of social media, fbook etc. I shouldnt even bother… that you need to be famous and a socialite to be popular… That was funny. Blogging just makes me happy… whether people reads our posts or not 💕💕💕 take care!
I mean, social media is REALLY important for your blog, I will agree to that!
I’m mentally clapping so much right now. I’m always saying the same thing!
When people complain they’re not getting anywhere especially when I can see they don’t engage with others I’m like, well what do you expect? And the positivity thing! Oh man, there’s so much of it and that’s great but let’s get real for a minute… things aren’t always sunshine and happiness which is why I’m so honest in what I say and do.
Well done for sharing this! 😊
Love Lozza xo
http://girlygabble.com
Hahah glad you agree! And yep, you get out what you put in 😌
Oh my gosh, yes, yes and YES. I agree with so many of these – especially the begging for follows. I mean, as a blogger, you’re also a writer, right? So at least come up with a more creative way of saying it! I could go on and on here but let’s just go with I LOVE this post!
Exactly 😂😂
Omg the begging for views thing really gets to me! And follows. I don’t mind and will usually support when people are trying to get to a particular milestone, but I’ve started to mute “Can I get to the next 100?” people because it gets soooo excessive.
Jas xx | https://thoughtsfromjasmine.co.uk
It’s ridiculous isn’t it! 🤦♀️🤦♀️
This post made me laugh — I share the pet peeves but you made it funny instead of a moan. I also appreciate you comparing the hassles of a blogging gig to being a nurse since I had a call from my crying, stressed out, exhausted daughter this morning who is a labor and delivery nurse. Now that’s a hard job and it keeps me grounded when I think I had a bad day at my day job. I can’t tell me how tickled I was when you chose that job as your example of a tough one.
Haha I’m glad it made you laugh!
I’m 100% with you on all of these! I hate the comments that are so generic they could be left on any post, no matter the subject. I always make an effort to leave more than a few words – I probably, if anything, leave too big a comment! lol The ‘sunshine sallys’ though, ugh, life isn’t a bed of roses and neither is blogging, so they can take their ray of positive sunshine and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine! lol 😀
Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip || Latest Post
Hahaha totally agree 😂 No comment is too long!
I hate it when people just link drop in the comments and don’t actually leave a comment! Xx
Me too x
I actually agree with all these pet peeves if I’m being honest – although I am probably guilty of having done some of these things before!
My biggest pet peeve is awkward comments, so basic that they clearly didn’t read the post!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk
Oh my god yes! How do you even reply to those?
I can totally agree with some of these. Especially the forced positivity. People don’t always have to be happy, or even in a good mood all the time! PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE NEGATIVE FREAKING FEELINGS.
The other thing that I can’t stand is completely BASHING someone to the wall when they have a different opinion than someone else or even one that very mildly offends. Like do 100 people need to re-tweet and publicly shame someone because they said something you don’t agree with? LIKE DAMN, bloggers can be supportive, but they can turn on others real quick.
Oh god yes. I’ve seen that on Twitter far too many times – someone says one stupid thing or one little thing that goes against what someone else believes and suddenly it’s a witch hunt!
It gets so bad! I don’t like when bloggers turn on each other like that at all! We are a community, but that also means we should try and respect when people disagree with us, not turn on them the second they have a different opinion.
I’m with you sister. I personally haaate the follow/unfollow game it’s so dishonest and nowadays people aren’t that slick. I like that they’re apps to recognize and just unfollow them right back. I also hate generic comments like great post because I honestly don’t know if you’ve really read the post. Other than that I think I’m square. I truly enjoyed your hinesty.
Thank you! I totally agree with you!
Love to read your posts. You hit this one on the nail. I am so annoyed by hashtags. I followed some great blogger but had to stop, between the @ and # you could not read in between the words. I do use # too but try to keep them as far away as possible from the main content. The follow my blog or great post which have no meaning with what you just posted, gets to me. And yes too much positive feel good can’t say anything bad is getting on my last nerve. Thank you Jenny for this great post.
xoxo Giangi
Hash tags are invaluable sometimes when it comes to promotion but you definitely have to be able to understand the tweet!
First – kuddos for telling it like it is!! I guess since I’m new and still learning, I don’t have many pet peeves yet – except the follow/unfollow thing! That really irritates me! Its not that I’m so focused on numbers but when you are trying to build a following it does matter to an extent. And what makes it worse is, like someone stated earlier, it is usually someone with thousands of followers. I just don’t get it… Thanks for sharing!
It’s ALWAYS those with hundreds of thousands of followers!
The HASHTAGS. That annoys me, but I don’t think I’d consider that a blogging pet peeve. Mine are as follows (grab a drink now)… 1. when people don’t leave their comments when I tell them I’ll return a comment then make me feel like the bad guy who doesn’t return because I can’t find them. 2. BS comments ‘great post’ or ‘looks good’ are the biggest for me. 3. Also follow/ unfollow but I unfortunately have become too used to that for it to register….
There’s definitely more but I think that’s enough complaining for one comment. One final thing though, I think the thing about it being the hardest job came from a legitimate place. Obviously, it’s not the absolute hardest thing. But I do think people emphasise how hard it is because a lot of people from outside of the industry think it’s SOO easy and bloggers literally take a few photos and call it a day. I feel like the comments about how hard it is came from trying to defend against that perception then somehow got over stretched? GOD I need to shut up now. Essay over x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Oh I totally agree, blogging is a hard job, I know it is. I’ll definitely blogging until I’m blue in the face when people say “it’s so easy, it’s just writing and taking a few photos” or whatever other misconceptions they have about it. But those who are constantly complaining or claiming it’s SOOOOO HARD, like, really?!
I totally agree about the follow/unfollow game, it’s really immature isn’t it? What’s wrong with a bit of reciprocity? That’s my top peeve.
It’s so immature and a dirty tactic.
Yes! Love this post. Couldn’t agree more. I especially hate the over the top positivity, it always seems very fake and I think it’s important to have some balance!
Coralle x
I agree! I can’t stand it – it totally puts me off following people!
Loved this post Jen. 🙂
One of my biggest blogging pet peeves is your no. 1: forced positivity and lack of adherence to reality.
I see so much of this online, including criticism of anyone who doesn’t share the same opinion. Sometimes, I feel like the world has gone mad, hehe.
Hope you’re well hun. xoxo
I totally agree! I mean I get that everyone can share what they want and if they don’t WANT to share anything negative then that’s fine. But at least don’t over-do the positivity! Nothing in life is THAT positive haha!
I can so relate to this… people need to stop copying what others do as well, it’s getting boring to see pictures of 500 people on the same place, with the same vibe, all the time!
AGREED! I’ve wanted to talk about this for ages but I’ve been too scared. I see the same photos on my Insta feed over and over again and I’m BORED.
This is the best!!!! Literally, you laid it all out and didnt leave anything on the table. This right here is by far the best read of the day!!
Haha thank you so much that’s quite a compliment!
Good one, Jenny, I definitely agree with all of these. Being relatively new and more active on Twitter, the follow-unfollow game is especially annoying!!
It definitely is – it’ll only get worse I’m afraid!
I definitely agree with a lot of these pet peeves to do with blogging, especially the follow/unfollow it’s just plain annoying and boring now that people still do it and it’s always the ones with thousands of followers. I will say I probably have done one or two of these in the past but definitely not any more as I now myself find them annoying! X
It’s always those with LOADS of followers! I can’t help but think lots of the people following them don’t really realise what they’re doing.
Honestly, I agree with all your blogging pet peeves. Two that annoy me are the follow/unfollow game on social platforms and leaving insincere comments. You can instantly tell if someone hasn’t read the post or caption. Thank you for sharing dear, you raised some valid points.
Tx. // Tajinder Kaur
It’s so obvious when someone hasn’t read your post! Those comments are so awkward to reply to!
I think I stopped participating in follow threads fairly quickly tbh but I don’t pay enough attention to see if people play the follow/unfollow game. I just follow people I think are interesting and periodically go through my followers and see if I think they are interesting to follow back.
The hashtags is a pet peeve of mine too. I mean just use #bloggers if you want the attention of the community rather than the PR hashtags!
The begging, one came up in my timeline the other night and I rolled my eyes, although it did at least ask how people got what this person thought were unrealistic numbers of views so I responded to them and someone else replied to my response that my views had only gone up because they had tweeted some of my links :-O I didn’t know how to respond to that because it completely invalidated all the work I have put in but equally I didn’t want to invalidate her by pointing out there hadn’t been a spike on the day that they did that so *shrug*.
Follow and unfollow has always been of my pet peeves. It really is a sneaky thing to do.
It’s such a dirty tactic!
I don’t ever take part in follow threads – they’re quite insincere. That’s quite a cheeky thing to reply! But don’t let it get to you.
I’m so glad it’s not just me, I was thinking I was being over sensitive XD
I’m moving on from it pretty quick 🙂
I think it’s too easy to fall for the follow for follow threads when you are new and still figuring things out
Yes!! I love this post!! I agree with these 100%. There is literally nothing more annoying that people leaving a generic comment. It’s just like did you even bother reading the post?! I also find the constant promotion of posts on social media. The worst thing about this is people who don’t use their social media for anything besides promoting their blog. It just feels really robotic and unorganic, at least show there is a person behind the account.
I agree – I find it difficult to find the line between too much social promotion and not enough. I promote myself quite a lot – multiple times a day but I’m always on Twitter, chatting and replying to things too so I hope that’s not too robotic!
I am on board with you on all of those. Even though, I stopped paying attention to some of them, so I forget that the unfollow/follow game is still A Thing because I don’t check on my Twitter stats that often anymore – sounded that right?
Anyway, I really love that idea. Maybe I should do my own list as well – obv I’d link back to you ♥
Haha yes, I totally get what you mean. Please do! I’d love to hear yours 🙂
Omg yes to so many of these! I hate that it’s always seen as such a bad thing if you’re the tiniest bit negative on social media, but life isn’t all rainbows and happiness! I’d much rather be real and share when things aren’t always great rather than thinking I can’t be honest xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Exactly, I really do think it’s helped me in the long run that I DO say things how they are and don’t pretend everything is rosy when it isn’t.
I hate ‘follow for a follow’ comments on instagram! x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
Me too x
I agree with all these! I try to stay positive most of the time, but sometimes it’s good to just vent and get it all out ya know!? And, I hate when bloggers say, “Am I the only one who…” No, No you aren’t!
Yeah totally! Tthat’s natural and… normal? Oh my god yes, I tweeted that when Game of Thrones was on and it got thousands of likes haha! Clearly we’re not the only ones annoyed by that!
I’ve only been back blogging for a month or so but I can definitely say that ‘Follow/Unfollow’ is my biggest pet peeve. I also agree that its ridiculous how many people are doing it. Instagram is the worst for it!
It sure is! Bloody ridiculous!
Hi, Jenny! Thank you for this post. I am entirely new to blogging (two weeks in), and I’m noticing these patterns already. What day and time do you publish a blog to get the most feedback? I know I’m just getting started, but I find it very difficult to get a dialogue going…Best to you!
It’s totally different for everyone depending on where you’re from, what you blog about etc. I’d suggest checking your stats / Google analytics and see when your most popular time / day is and go from there!
I agree with you. It’s great to have a positive and supportive outlook but it can have the oppostite effect if it is overdone. It’s not ‘real life’ and for me, it’s so much more important to get conversations started about what’s really going on with people. It’s that whole social media fake showing the best side of you that feeds insecurities. Let’s just be real! And talk about the stuff that’s good… and not so good.
I totally agree! Yes! I hate the fakeness and I’d rather have REAL conversations.
Haha yesss Jenny, this post is spot on! Only the other day, I had someone drop me a blog post link in a DM with no message and I’d never spoken to them before either… I was thinking, um okay what do you want me to do with this? Also, misusing the #bloggerswanted and #bloggersrequired hashtags are a big pet peeve of mine too. There is so much spam to filter through before you find anything genuine, it can take up so much time! Definitely agree with your blogging frustrations, great post, thanks for sharing! <3 xxx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
I had this too! Wonder if it was the same person haha? I just ignored it xxx
I completely agree, the positivity sometimes can be overwhelming and realistically, we’re not all that positive 100% of the time!
And omggggg the follow/unfollow game is without a doubt the thing I hate most about blogging!
Great post Jenny, I feel like I’ve almost had a little rant and I feel better now haha
Katy | http://www.therawrdrobe.com
Exactly we’re not. I’d rather use my platform to share real life and get a dialogue going and make people feel like they’re not alone – rather than forcing happiness and positivity down people’s throats who might really not need that.
These are exactly my pet peeves. Love that you wrote it, and they don’t just apply to bloggers either, any social influencer, youtuber could be added too.
Totally!
You nailed everything that I wanted to said. I also like to add that I dislike it when some putting others down/saying how wrong is it for bloggers to want to make money from blogging. For some, blogging is a job and to not being paid on doing your job is just crazy.
Ugh yes, that’s a big one for me too! Blogging is my job, I make money from it so what gives someone else the right to say it’s not “real”?
Absolutely! People need to accept that time has changed and you can earn money from non traditional jobs like blogging or being a youtuber
I was just about to put this exact comment on but see you already have. I’m pretty new to blogging and it’s not my job (I have some adds and links to products but haven’t and am unlikely to make any money on them). Those kind of comments just feel like a bit of blogging snobbery to me. I admire the folk who make it their job and will click on those links if I see something I think I will want 😊
I just started being serious with my blog so currently I don’t have any pet peeves. But I am surely mentally prepared for some after reading your blog post. Thanks. Sending love from India.
Haha I’m glad this has prepared you in some way!
This post made me giggle, Jenny! But seriously, you are spot on with these points. Begging for views and moaning about the lack of views/followers is SUCH an eye roll. If you’re creating good content, posting in the right places, and engaging with others then everything will come in time. Blogging is a long game, not an overnight result. If that’s what you’re after then you need to rethink your choices. And I love the analogy with nurses, that’s absolutely right. Blogging is hard work but it’s not that hard. Fab post! xx
Lisa | https://www.lisasnotebook.com
Totally agree. These people who start a blog and 2 weeks later wonder why they haven’t been paid for a post yet. Crying out loud haha.
Hahah I love these!! I hate it when blogger moan about being bloggers it’s just like you have one of the most amazing free moving jobs love what you do! Great post as always jenny x
Exactly! And yes it’s tricky at times, most jobs are. But you are SO LUCKY.
The misuse of the #bloggerswanted or #prrequest hashtags gets on my nerves! I look for those hashtags near on everyday and like you said, it gets clogged by blogger’s wanting to promote their blog or asking for blogger’s to send them their newest blog posts – NO!!
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Yep! I check every day but it’s mostly aimless scrolling at this point!
I’m guilty of a few of these myself lol , to each their own I guess… nice post though I enjoyed reading it
Haha, thanks.
I’m glad you wrote this and had the courage to share it! I hold my hands up, GUILTY, that I’ve used the wrong hashtags and I’ve moaned on about certain aspects of blogging on my bad days. Guilty as charged!
I’ve since learned the correct use of the hashtags, and am trying to take it less seriously and just enjoy the journey!
The follow/unfollow game is so strong, and I hate it with a passion. Especially on Instagram! There is just no need like, either follow me and stay following me or don’t. This is by far my biggest pet peeve!
I think if you learn from your mistakes it’s all good. Using the wrong hash tags is an easy mistake to make! It’s just those people who KEEP doing it!
I have to agree with you on all your points there! They are things that annoy me too! The other one that I’ve had recently is people copying posts, like, I ran with an idea and a day later someone did the exact same thing and on looking at their blog have done it several times with my posts! Xxx
Ugh, that’s rubbish! I’ve had that a few times too.
Yeah, it’s not nice! Not really sure how to deal with it xx
Very helpful for me as a newbie of things to avoid. I also hate the follow/unfollow game which I’m seeing on Instagram-seems totally pointless with all the apps out now that bring these folk to your attention. Great post!😊
Totally agree!
I think you have pretty much covered them all, Jenny…
Personally, I think all the pity posts are the worst!
SAME! Cringe.
I think the 2 here that get me the most are the follow/unfollow thing and the specific comments thing.
The ‘follow 4 follow’ thing just annoys me so much, you just can’t seem to get away from it… also… if you like someones posts or pictures or tweets just god darn follow them!! It’s not hard and it doesn’t take a lot… if anything asking for a follow just makes me think you’re a self centered idiot who doesn’t care what I post anyway #sorrynotsorry
And the comments thing… like… it’s another case of ‘did you even bother to read what I wrote?’ or did you just come here for attention? I appreciate wanting to promote your blog or posts but there is a time and a place to do it.. and other peoples blogs is not that place. Like.. people work hard so why can’t they just work hard too? I don’t get the mindset I really don’t…
Anyway, I agree with all your points, it’s just those 2 that irk me the most! Great post though! Remember to check out my b- *just kidding* 😉😂
I totally agree. I don’t mind when people leave their links in their comments with their name, as long as they’ve actually read my post and left a genuine comment!
The follow/unfollow thing REALLY gets on my nerves! Don’t do it, just stop!
Also when you take part in smaller thread sharing posts and it’s a complete all who comment thing. I’ll spend ages reading and posting a genuine comment only go get nothing in return.
Or not commenting because it means signing in or signing up, god I have accounts for so many different platforms now so I can interact with blogs I like.
Ha for a newbie I have a fair few pet peeves myself it would seem!
I hate the blogs that require you to solve a bloody mystery in order to leave a comment!
Oh god me too!! Nothing I have to say is quite THAT important to jump through hoops for 😂